Share This Story!

Chargers' new offensive coordinator: Ken Whisenhunt

Ken Whisenhunt interviewed for the San Diego Chargers' head-coaching job. Though he didn't get that position, he'll be joining the organization nonetheless. The former Arizona Cardinals' head coach, fired at

Posted!

Join the Nation's Conversation

Chargers' new offensive coordinator: Ken Whisenhunt

Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports
Published 2:59 p.m. ET Jan. 17, 2013

Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. He is the Chargers new offensive coordinator.(Photo: Tony Avelar, AP)

Story Highlights

After interviewing for the head-coaching job, Ken Whisenhunt accepted the position as Chargers offensive coordinator

Whisenhunt will call the plays under new head coach Mike McCoy, former offensive coordinator for the Broncos

With other job possibilities, Whisenhunt took the Chargers job to work with Philip Rivers

Ken Whisenhunt interviewed for the San Diego Chargers' head-coaching job. Though he didn't get that position, he'll be joining the organization nonetheless.

The former Arizona Cardinals' head coach, fired at the end of this past season, will join Mike McCoy's staff as offensive coordinator, according to a person informed that Whisenhunt was accepting the job.

The person, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the contract has yet to be finalized, said Whisenhunt will call plays for the Chargers' offense.

The person also said Whisenhunt had other leads for jobs but the opportunity to work with quarterback Philip Rivers sealed the deal to join San Diego.

Without a proven quarterback, Whisenhunt struggled as the Cardinals' head coach over the past three seasons. The Cards were 18-30 during that stretch. However, in the two seasons before that, with Kurt Warner under center most of the time, Whisenhunt led the Cards to back-to-back playoff appearances and the first Super Bowl trip in team history.

Whisenhunt has one Super Bowl ring as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005.